I pondered as a foal gazing out at the shimmering stars…could the princesses be saved from the cruelty of the rebellion that my parents created? No, It was inevitable… the bombs had to fall.
"Chaos always finds a way through order and unity."
Brimstone grew up as one of the lowlifes; an outcast if you will. his parents had formed a rebellion against the Equestrian monarchy that stood for centuries. That monarchy did fall....but it came with a price. An erupting fire consumed the land in radiation and heat. After the fire swept away everything, Brimstone found himself alone in a corrupt shell of world he once knew.
My second story! Please leave feedback :D And like!
edit: NOT A BUNCH OF ROMANCE! just figured it needed the tag
“It was too peaceful…no, I wouldn’t say peaceful. It was eerie, too dark for comfort lying in my room as a colt; with nothing but the weight of darkness strapped upon me. Gazing out at the window waiting for my death was not a pleasant feeling. It didn’t frighten me though it was just a feeling that couldn’t be avoidable, it was a feeling of just lost hope and all the little fillies and colts inside that room were crying and begging for their mommies and daddies. My Parents you ask? Fighting the equestrian monarchy that was doomed from the start along with others that had joined the organization. My friends? Kept away by the swift protection of the stables. Me? Left to die…
“Attention all fillies and colts. This is princess Luna, you are all to run to your stables immediately, this is not a drill; I repeat not a drill!” And just like that, chaos wreaked its vengeance on the citizens of Equestria.
When the announcement was heard, every foal ran to their mothers and fathers for comfort inside their cozy little stables. I forgot to mention that my family was considered outcasts…the scum of Canterlot life, the lowest of the low, We lacked on the charismatic side, and when Celestia announced that Everypony would be granted a free room in the stables; let’s just say that she didn’t mean everyPONY. That’s when my mother and father took action, along with all the other scum that night. While the foals, like myself were left to perish in that one room from that disaster, from that night, and from sure chaos.
I pondered as a foal gazing out at the shimmering stars…could the princesses be saved from the cruelty of the rebellion that my parents created? No, It was inevitable… the bombs had to fall.
My parents told me before they left; words I will never forget “Chaos always finds a way through order and unity.” So what was that rebellion for? Who knows…and who cares. What matters does not rely on the past but instead what you can make of yourself through the present, because after all those bombs fell on the major cities of Equestria I found myself alone in a corrupt world filled with anything but order and unity. But I swore to myself lying under the burnt bodies of the little foals that were shot by radiation, to find the truth of that night, why the bombs fell… and why my parents vanished…
“The most I can give you is five bits for the rifle.” The clerk demanded in a disgruntled voice. I stared at his rugged face through the rim of my hat.”
“Well then…consider this trade off.” I grabbed the dusty rifle from his clinging possession and trotted out of the store… After all it was the only gun I owned.
“Thanks come again…asshole.” He shouted angrily from across the road.
Across the gravel grazed street I had spotted a saloon that shinned its lights quite lively over the dark ebony sky, it seemed lively enough and appealing enough to grab my attention, and any place that could sell cider after hours was the place for me. Walking through the doors I noticed that the majority of the saloon was filled with griffons…I hate griffons, they’re not the most intelligent creature, always rushing things. And because of the recent expansion of the badlands just below Appaloosa, the griffons had to find a different route from their kingdom to the Equestrian wasteland, and that route had to go through Appaloosa… so much for a warm welcome. I sat myself upon a rugged stool that felt as though it were about to bust in and make me trample onto the floor.
“Hey, smoothskin need some cider, How about a salt lick?” a pony recited his services from behind the register.
“Yeah, how much cider can twenty caps get?” I slapped the pouch on the table, and it got the attention of a few griffons sitting across the aisle.
“Ehh…two gallons, and if I was you, I would keep that pouch hidden” He picked up the sack making sure they were authentic.
“Give me one…” I took away ten caps and placed them back in the pouch.
“Sorry about that, cider’s getting pretty expensive around these parts.” He apologized rubbing the shot glasses smoothly with a rag.
“Yeah I’ve noticed that…hey, have you heard about Fillydelphia? I heard it’s a haven for ghouls.” I suggested after gulping down a shot.
“Yeah, as a matter of fact I was just savin’ up to move-.” His sentence was interrupted by a loud smack that came from the middle of the bar, and the first thing I noticed was blood splattered next to the pony’s face, when I looked at the opposing fighter a griffon with three feathers all in a different color stood above that pony with a proud pose and applause rattled the saloon.
“Who’s the griffon?” I asked, impressed by his might.
“That kid oh… he comes here to pummel stubborn ponies every night, that kids got strength!” he left a chuckle at the end.
“Well I’m sure not making a fight with that guy.” I chugged another shot feeling the cider hit my throat and leave a burn.
“Hey pony Joe!” the griffon screamed from atop the grunting and moaning pony below him.
“How’s my favorite griffon doing? Here, have some of Appaloosa’s famous cider on the house!” Pony Joe slid a glass across the table and the griffon caught it and gulped it before you could even mutter the word “more”
“Well three nights in a row, that’s a new record!” Joe shouted.
“Well some griffon’s gotta keep these ponies in order.” Before I could object, the griffon plopped in a stool next to me; I definitely would keep a sharp eye on him.
“It’s the only thing that makes me happy, seeing you pummel those rascals.” He remarked sliding me another shot, but instead of gulping it down without hesitation; I levitated it to the griffon next to me. I guess its good karma.
“Well I’m gonna bail, see you later Joe, keep the change and give the drinks to that champ.” I got down from my stool and placed my hat on firmly.
“Thanks pony!” the griffon stated ecstatically, but you don’t even say your welcome in this world any more… manners are long gone and besides, I hate griffons.
The night seemed so young and I was still too wide-awake to go back to my inn, so I figured a stroll might be exactly what I needed; after all it’s one of the only things that keep me sane in this apocalyptic world.
If there were one thing that I missed, it would be watching the moonrise with my mother, she would always take me to the roof of the apartment we lived in and we would make up stories on how the moon and stars knew each other and played; since We couldn’t afford the fancier things in life. She would always tell me a story that made my mind explode, like this one about two princesses in the moon, she explained that somewhere in the near future, two princesses would spend eternity on the moon together…
And even when she wasn’t there, I would go on the roof and stare at the luminous moon. I always found an inner peace there.
“Where do you think you’re going runt?” a shaky voice taunted from behind. I instantly levitated my knife from its holster and turned, but he wasn’t behind me.
When I turned back, I saw him in front of me with a Bowie knife held straight to my torso. “Hand over that pouch dammit! And make it quick!” he demanded. I’m guessing he was in a hurry because he kept looking back at the saloon.
“No…” I boldly announced. He turned his head back to me.
“ C’mon I’m not playing, Do you want to die here?!” he shouted with his wobbly knife.
“No…” I repeated once more.
“Listen to me…I don’t want to kill you. But the boss is coming and if I don’t get the money…” he paused and cringed until turning his face toward mine. “I’m giving you one last-.” He suddenly gasped and paused; at last he could feel the sharp blade I had drove into his spine. Looks like my agility isn’t something to play around with.
“How did you-?” he grunted with blood dripping from his upper back.
“I stabbed you, you should thank me you know, I’m doing you a favor, your boss wont even notice you’re gone I will give you a proper burial as my gift to you.” He just nodded until he lost consciousness.I had spent the night searching his supply, and burying him in a nice field on the outskirts of the saloon. He must have been a thief; he didn’t look like he would wear a corset.
“Wow you look pretty dirty.” The weak innkeeper commented, “Let me guess…another dead pony.”
“Like I said Flare Heart, I only kill for self defense. He had caught me off guard during my favorite time of the night.” I chuckled and took off my hat.
“Well just, be careful ya hear?” she asked with a caring tone.
“What are you my mom?” I stated protesting like a small colt.
“I’m not old enough to be your mom.” I’m guessing she didn’t get the sarcasm.
“I got your bed sheets clean, I also found blood on one of the towels. Did you kill someone on the premises?!”
I just shook my head and grinned looking back at her, “Trust me I wouldn’t do that to ya.” She had a weak heart.
My room was bleak, filled with a couple of items such as a bed and nightstand. The walls have been cracked due to erosion, and mold covered the roof above me…but why should I complain she gave me this room for free and that’s good enough reason for me to stay and I needed to rest; my endurance was worn out. I placed my father’s rifle on the nightstand and placed my hat on the lamp. While checking out the Pip Buck three thousand A model I had found from the murderer, I felt a sudden pain in my torso, probably the cider counteracting with my system. I began to notice the purple curtains rustling and dancing from the open pane and it was freezing in here. Trotting to the window, I winced and fell to the ground, when I opened my duster hesitantly I saw the gash and felt the blood drip down my hoof onto the hardwood floor. “I guess it wasn’t the cider. Lucky me…” I affirmed aloud.
“Brimstone? Brimstone?!” I could hear Flare Heart yelling my name while her hooves galloped up the stairs. When the door slammed open I could see her race to my body. I hadn’t realized the pain until now? That’s just like me, and now she’s going to kill me even if I survive.
“Silver Leaf, get me the first aid!” I could feel myself closing in and losing consciousness. Flare Heart turned my head so I could look to the roof. When I looked closer I saw a small crevice; through the cranny, I could see the stunningly beautiful moon and the two sisters inside that my mother had spoken of in her stories; “How bizarre.” I muttered before losing my perception.
I felt a lukewarm sensation lay on my forehead gently, and it immediately raised me from unconsciousness. I was lying in a makeshift divan, with a lantern to my side, which gave a dim glow; not enough to see the entire extent of the room though.
“Oh! You’re awake!” a voice squealed. When I looked to my side, I had noticed Flare Heart leaning beside me.
I asked the first question anypony would say when they had just woken from a gashing wound.
“How long was I out?” I inquired groaning.
She pointed her muzzle to the ceiling and counted in her head. “Two days, maybe?”
When I heard the digit, I scrambled out of the blanket that enveloped me and leaped to my hooves, and surprisingly…no pain. I stretched my crackling spine and gave a sigh.
“Well, you sure do recover quick hmm?” she announced befuddled.
“Yeah thanks to you.” I opened my duster with my left hoof and noticed there was a scar and it was treated carefully with stitches.
“Didn’t know you could stitch.” she blushed and trotted to the wall where a portrait hung by a single tack.
“My mother, Nurse Red Heart taught me a few tricks before she passed away…” there was a feeling of deep melancholy filling the room. I could feel her pain...After all my parents are gone too.
“I’m sorry for your loss…” I hadn’t realized that my seemingly comforting statement sounded quite unemotional and boring. She twisted her head and smiled at me, even though we both knew that the comment was completely cliché.
I could hear a faint thump approach. The stairs above us creaked and groaned, and a faint mumble could be heard. The inn manager Silver leaf presented himself as he trotted downstairs with his lengthy, grey mane following behind him.
“Hey! Flare Heart we need more tow-.” He seemed surprised to notice that I was ok, and I knew that he wasn’t very fond of me. “Good to see you alive and well Brimstone.” He muttered nonchalantly, he flashed his eyes to Flare Heart.
“Room seven needs more towels.” He then twisted his orders from her to me. “Brimstone, now that you’re in good health, why don’t you take a stroll around Appaloosa, im sure you’ve missed a bundle of excitement around town.” he proposed with no sentiment in his voice. He trotted up the stairs with Flare Heart she gave a calming exhale; and I shortly tagged along behind them.
“Why is Silver Leaf so jumpy?” I queried giving Flare Heart another clean towel. The smell of the linen filled the room with an intoxicating aroma.
“Oh he’s just expecting somepony from the commonwealth is all.” She responded merrily. Now I could comprehend why Silver Leaf was so uppity, but why would somepony from the commonwealth make their way down here, near the badlands more importantly? It didn’t set well with my intuition.
“Brimstone? I need to see you in my office.” A crackling voice demanded from the intercom. I sited my hoof gently upon it.
“Yes Silver Leaf, I’ll be right there.” I replied lazily, even though I didn’t work here, I liked helping around with the inn to pass time.
“What’s a matter Brimstone?” Flare Heart inquired alarmed.
“Just bossy ol’ Silver Leaf, probably wants some coffee to help him focus.” Flare heart giggled and turned to watch me trot out of the room.
I slowly opened Silver Leaf’s broken glass door, which should be torn down in my opinion, he constantly refuses though, telling me that it offers him privacy. Bookshelves aligned the perimeter in his cluttered mess of an office, and even the ones off the shelves climbed to the ceiling. Scrolls stacked upon his desk made it almost impossible for me to observe him. He apparently liked to study ancient times, before that night…
“Brimstone, I received a letter from the commonwealth, and this pony is traveling south and needs a place to rest on his way to the griffon kingdom.” Silver leaf proclaimed with a proud and noble voice. I guess that explained the pony from the commonwealth.
“And I don’t want you to screw things up today.” His voice became harshly serious, as if he were my superior.
“I do need to get a drink so I promise I wont be a nuisance.” it was not because I am intimidated by him, but because of the enormous respect I had for Flare Heart. If he hadn’t have taken her as his own daughter two years ago…he would be dead by my hooves right now.
“Good, the bar is right down the street” Silver Leaf gave a shooing notion with his hoof, addressing me out of his office like some mutt. I slammed the door after me and the rest of the glass fell.
The saloon was badly lit and filled with passed out, intoxicated, ponies and griffons. The only creature awake was Joe; he was rubbing the shot glasses with a dirty rag as usual. I trampled on a few ponies’ skulls trying to make my way to the barstools. I caught his awareness after he stared through a shot glass he was chafing.
“Hey, hey, hey, smoothskin’s living after all, how about a drink…its Five o’ clock somewhere right?” He giggled to himself as he skimmed the shot glass to my left hoof, only this time I didn’t consume it, I just slapped my face in-between my hooves.
“Ya alright champ?” He asked with a concerned quality.
His voice seemed to stand out from the stifled groans that filled the tavern and I raised my head instantly. “Yeah, yeah just…waiting for the pain killers to kick into my system.” I pulled out that corroded Pip Buck and began toggling the switches with my hooves, to look amused.
“Well just remember I got the best pain killers right behind me, ya got that?” I nodded my head and gave a faint smirk; He provided a pleasant chuckle until he glared at my full shot, untouched by anypony but him.
“You’re not drinkin…don’t tell me ya got mare problems kid? You’re too young-” I gulped the glass hastily as he threw me a shocked expression. A moan cut off the short conversation.
“POnY JoE…!” A wasted voice screamed. “ThAt WAs ThE BeSt NIghT EvaR!!”
I recognized that accent, but I didn’t want to believe he was here. The Griffon slammed his front claw onto the barstool next to where I was seated, and he pulled his entire weight using his other claw until his face slammed on the faulted countertop.
“Gideon, my main griffon!” They looked as if they were doing some strange sort of hoof bump; except the griffon missed poorly.
Gideon shouted directly into my left ear “WhO IS ThiS PonY?!” I gave a tight winced expression as the sound echoed through my eardrums. Joe hoofed me another shot.
“Who, Brimstone? He’s only the toughest pony in town!” Pony Joe smacked my back causing me to choke on the apple cider I just placed in my throat.
“THiS Pony IS NoT hiccup Tou-.” The griffon plopped unto the cinnamon coated floor just below me. “Good riddance…” I assured myself relieved.
It had been a good hour or so talking to Pony Joe and catching up on the latest news, he had told me that there was some sort of outbreak in the number of ghouls traveling by in the past day or two; but nothing out of the ordinary besides that.
“So, ya hook up with her yet kid?” I leaned my head and gave a questioned look with one eyebrow raised.
“Who?”
“You know…the redhead…” He elbowed me in my shoulder. At first I was confused, then I felt a blush run over my light grey skin; he was talking about Flare Heart…
“Are you crazy? She’s like ten years older than me!” and I wasn’t fibbing either, I didn’t have any interest in love or intimate relationships, especially with a rugged innkeeper.
“Yeah…OKAY.” He extended his speech making it sound even more sardonic.
“I swear Joe, you never grow up.” We both giggled in unison.
“Who needs to?” We both struck our glasses mutually, and gulped the liquid.
I had recognized that the clock hanging behind Joe attained a four mark, “Sorry Joe, I gotta bounce…I promised Silver Leaf that I would clean the lobby.” He shattered his glass on the counter accidentally and cursed his head off; blood was seeping down his hooves, not too bad of a wound though. He reached the first aid kit behind him.
“Yeah, Alright go ahead…Ill see ya later Brimstone.” He muttered wrapping a bind around his hoof. I left a few caps on the counter.
I had made my way out of the tavern not treading on anypony this time. The town was bustling once again, and the markets lined the main street, selling fresh produce and goods, but I didn’t have time to stop and idly browse, so I galloped my way across the market and back to the inn.
When I rang the bell, nopony answered; which raised my suspicion drastically. Usually Silver Leaf would be standing at the reception desk two seconds after rapidly tapping the signal.
I tilted my head slightly to get a glimpse of his office, but the piled books made it unfeasible to peek through. I trotted quietly around the desk and levitated my knife with an amber aura. I pushed myself to the wall and peeked slowly into his office.
“Silver Leaf?” I commented…but no response. When I gained courage, I jumped in front of his door and immediately noticed nothing out place. Silver Leaf sat as his desk gazing at me with his eyes extensively open. I floated my knife back in its holster and gave a huge exhale.
“Jeez Silver Leaf…don’t scare me like that…” he just kept staring at me, with no expression on his visage. I trotted to him carefully, being cautious with each step, but he still did not move, or give any notifications he was still conscious. I kept trotting until I was two feet from his face.
“C’mon Leaf, don’t play any-.” When I gave him a shoulder hoof, he fell to the ground and I swiftly galloped to his cadaver. I turned his head slightly to discover a knife deeply wedged into his neck. I began to shiver and panic, my body was coming into reality…Silver Leaf, is dead… what would Flare Heart do? Oh no is Flare Heart gone too?!
“Flare Heart, Flare Heart Please answer me, please!” I could hear hooves gallop atop of me and doors slam shut, my heart stopped pumping as drastically as it was and it was good to see another pony alive. Flare Heart dashed inside the room I was in and gave a crashing halt, seeing me tend to his carcass. She instantly fell to the ground and began weeping and begging for Silver Leaf.
“Daddy! Please don’t die, please!” she shrieked. I kneeled and rubbed her back slowly with my hoof.
I observed the knife closer, and noticed that a letter was attached to the hilt. I let go of Flare Heart and lifted Silver Leaf’s back until I ripped the note off.
“Chaos invenit viam per ordinem et unitatem…sulphur.” Or t least that’s what I thought it said, I folded the note and shifted my attention back to comforting Flare Heart.
“Why? Why?” she asked herself, I felt my heart drop as far down as hers, even though I didn’t like him, he always kind of seemed like a father to me too, he ways always so picky and liked things in order, he even kept an eye on me and Flare Heart. I guess you don’t know who you have until they’re gone.
“Flare Heart, listen to me.” I pulled her face up with my hooves and noticed her cherry swelled eyes. “I’m gonna find who did this, and I am going to make sure they get the same death he did.” I was confident; I mean how many creatures are in Appaloosa? Wait. It occurred to me…that note…was old Equestrian language…no one uses that language, it died off; and I couldn’t read it…so who could?
“Really? You promise?” she pleaded with a breaking voice.
“Umm…well…the uh note says…” I looked into her deep blue eyes and instantly melted into her hooves.
“I promise” she hugged me tightly and I could feel her hot breath run across my torso. “WOW! Nice job showing off Brimstone, very well done. Now you have to go all over Equestria to find someone who can translate a stupid piece of paper in hopes that it isn’t an I.O.U,” I scolded at myself mordantly.
“You did what?!” Pony Joe questioned alarmingly and not as lightly as I expected.
“I said I would find out who did it…that’s it…” He rubbed his hooves on his eyes and looked up at the roof.
“Kid, I’m only giving you some advice and watching out for ya, because I don’t want you to end up like me…married…”
I gave a look of disgust, since when did marriage pop up into the conversation? I was talking about the dead inn manager, Where was his mind? All I knew is that her father just died and I don’t want her to end up like me…lonely.
“You wouldn’t understand.” I turned around in my barstool and chugged the shot he had just poured for me.
“Wouldn’t understand what?” A familiar voice implied.
Who was it? None other than the gum at the bottom of my hooves; Gideon. He spun around in his stool like a foal and began laughing.
“None of your business Gideon.” I snarled angrily.
“Oh, come on! Maybe I could help?” he stated while chuckling to himself.
“Can you read old Equestrian? I didn’t think so!” I turned my barstool with my back pointing at him and I gave Joe the notion for another shot, and instead he presented me with three.
“Trust me, you’re gonna need it with this griffon.” Joe winked and rotated back to his shelves.
“Actually, I can…” the cider in my mouth instantly turned sour and I spit it directly onto his face, he winced at the cold liquid touching his beak; Joe cracked and a burst of laughter erupted from him.
“Sure, although I am a little rusty.” He blushed and rubbed his face with a towel Joe had provided. He held out his talon, and I took a second to respond.
I levitated the note onto his talon with an amber aura. He seemed puzzled and interested judging by his ominous expressions.
“Okay, it says here on the first line “Chaos always finds-.” He paused and gave a confused look.
“Chaos always finds a way through order and unity…Brimstone.” He looked surprised, “Brimstone, this is a letter for you, derived from Canterlot, the commonwealth.”
I folded the ragged duster laid on my bed, and lightly placed the jacket inside a saddle I had by my side, I then placed a canteen next to my pistol and razor-sharp stilettos. My mind was set and my heart had long been waiting the day I could find anything about the rebellion. I gently cocked my father’s antique rifle and strapped it upon my back. Never in my life have I been more determined and convinced that there was a way to put an end to my irregularity and ignorance. A gentle knock from the door behind made my ear twitch slightly; when I turned Flare Heart was peeking inside.
“Are you leaving tonight?” she entered the room and tugged at the dismantled blinds.
“Yes, the sooner the better.” I guess I hadn’t thought that retort thoroughly, she looked back at me with worry and despair in her eyes. Without a warning she twirled around and slammed her hooves onto the wall beside the shades.
“Why wont you let me come?!” she yelled while her voice was breaking.
“Its just too dangerous…I don’t want you anywhere near-.” She shook her head rapidly and protested.
“I’m a grown mare! Tartarus below! I’m three years older than you!” I was shocked to hear that; I thought she was at least ten years older than me.
Instead of trying to negotiate, she used the ultimate weapon mares had, that stallions didn’t. Cry. She just laid her body on the bed next to me, and began to weep quietly due to the covers she was on. I was an exception to this ultimate weapon; it was for her safety, What if she went and we were ambushed by a bunch of vipers or ghouls? I couldn’t live with myself knowing she would cry from true pain; the tears that come from physical pain, my mind was made up; she would not go.
I zipped the rim of my saddle and strapped it across my chest, ignoring her cries; no matter how much of a jerk it made me look. I silently closed the door behind me; it locked its bolt with an abrupt creak.
“I’m sorry Flare Heart.” I whispered, hoping she wouldn’t hear my apology.
I trotted down the stairs slowly; thinking about the events that were just placed in front of me…I could die! I hadn’t realized the outcomes of my adrenaline, and novice. I just pushed everything else aside in life and bet that the note I had would help me find my parents. But this was also for flare heart I thought, tapping down on the next step, for Silver Leaf too. I had to avenge his death. I had finished the stairs quicker than I expected, and almost tripped. Gideon chuckled as he stretched his body on the sofa in the front lobby. Pony Joe sat beside him, sharpening his axe, glaring at him angrily.
“Gang’s all here I guess.” Joe stated lifting the axe to his eye to measure the serration. Gideon yawned noisily and tilted forward to gaze at the clock hanging above me.
“I don’t see why we have to leave so early, I just wanted to sleep tonight…” he groaned and fell back against the couch caressing a pillow under his noggin.
“Because if we leave early, we are less likely to get mugged.” I paused and caught a glimpse at the clock, it presently stroke two. Gideon turned his body once more and slammed a pillow on his head to block out the chimes that echoed throughout the inn, while Joe honed his weapons. I noticed that most of them were filthy, and seemed, as though they haven’t been used in decades.
“So Joe, did you take it up with your wife? About the whole…might not be coming back thing?” I issued. “Yeah, she took it pretty well though. I think she was happy to see me go away for a little.” He cackled at his own sarcasm. His answer led to another uncertainty I had in mind.
“Who’s gonna run the bar?” I posed, sliding onto the next sofa by him.
“Flare Heart said she’d take it over for a couple of days, and if she leaves; my son can take care of it.” I nodded my head slowly in comprehension.
The creaking of wood interrupted our brief discussion, Flare Heart trotted slowly down the steps, looking as if she were about to pass out; Her eyes were not the sapphires that usually shimmered their liveliness. Instead they looked more resembling to that of an endless black hole. She did not peep or make any resonance as she passed the darkened lobby and trekked into the next room.
“Glory Brimstone, What did you do to her?” Gideon smirked, “Did she ask you out or something?” A sudden deep aggression rose in my thoughts and emotions. Millions of feelings raced through my head. I unzipped my bag furiously, and pushed the jagged blade I had seized, into the coffee table in center of us. Gideon jumped, and Joe switched his eye position to me.
“Gideon! Shut your fat beak for once!” His eyes widened, and Joe looked perplexed.
“Whoa, whoa, chill pony!” Gideon calmly stated. “I was just joshing ya.” I bit the hilt of the blade on the table and pulled the knife to his throat.
“Don’t you ever joke about her feelings like that again!” He nodded his head gradually, and I spit the knife back into my pouch and closed it firmly.
“Look, we’re all just a little upset. We know that we could die on this journey and that’s not very enlightening, so instead of making enemies, we should just get used to each other.” I moped and curved my head away from Joe, still, he was accurate, and perhaps this is just getting to my head.
I peered at the timepiece behind the broken couch; it just struck the forty-five minute mark. I placed my hoof on my temple and massaged it in loops to ease the stress. The erythematic ticking of the clock above was the only entity that made any racket. Gideon had dozed off into a deep slumber, and Joe nibbled silently on his Pinkie Pie snack cakes.
“Ding…Dong…Ding…Dong” the clock hummed, my heart sunk drastically, was I ready for this? Gideon stretched his wings and Joe strapped his vest. Yes, I told myself. There’s no turning back; it is now time to wreak vengeance for Silver Leaf, for Flare Heart and for me.
“Alright, lets go…” I spoke unenthusiastically; Gideon grabbed his mace and placed in on his back. I inched my way slowly towards the entrance of the inn, each step I took, the more danger lies ahead, and I gulped nervously at the consideration of that. I opened the screen door with my hoof…
“Wait!” A voice squealed. When I turned, Flare Heart appeared behind me with an expensive looking necklace. The piece of jewelry seemed to be made from a dark ruby, its shape resembled a red cross; like from the old hospitals I would go to as a kid.
“That was my mother’s, you should take as a good luck charm.” I was shocked; Jewelry is pretty hard to find nowadays, she would give one of her most valuable possessions to me? Knowing that I might die! I attached the chain to my neck in front of her and I saw her grin through those teary eyes. That made me happy, the most I could do for her right now was make her smile, and a smile is all that it takes to go distances.
The night was breathtaking; stars aligned the heavens, and the moon shimmered brilliantly over the Macintosh Mountains. How could a world filled with such beauty, succumb to such violence and hatred. The night was the only time that Equestria could possibly spread its divine beauty.
“All right Brimstone, where are we headed to first?” He shattered my thoughts and brought me back to reality.
“Oh umm…well we’re going to cut through town and head north until we reach the Everfree forre-.”
“Oh, nonononono.” Gideon argued, “I am not going through that spit soaked, Tartarus hol-.” I hoofed his beak.
“You didn’t let me finish!” I let go of him and conversed calmly.
“Once we hit the Everfree forest, we will head straight west until we reach Ghastly Gorge. After that there should be a river nearby that we can float up to Dragonvil-.” Gideon cringed, gave a fake heart attack charade, and started breathing rapidly.
“No offense kid, but I think we should avoid Dragonville.” Joe slapped Gideon on the spine to make him shut up.
“Well there is no other way unless we travel east, and that adds three hundred and seventy-two miles.” He opened his eyes lively, and so did Gideon.
“A dragon hunting we will go!” Gideon and Joe both laughed, and I gave a faint smirk.
I glanced back the poorly lit inn, that was my home…and I’m leaving it forever. Over the past six months, Silver Leaf and Flare Heart have been looking after me, and my needs. I could have lived there, and died there…and not know reality. That’s why I’m leaving; I need to know the truth.
The trail that lies on the outskirts of town has been paved thoroughly due to random merchants and traders, dead apple trees align the trail so we know we’re on the right pathway, but darkness can be devious to ones vision.
The gravel crumbled under my hooves and dust swept at my eyes and the cool night wind pushed against us, the trail are broken railroad tracks that will lead to Ghastly Gorge, two days at the most and we cant afford to lose any time.
The trees waved, and swayed their branches as if pointing us in the direction we were headed, it gave me some shivers I must admit; and Appaloosa was out of view now, it was just us in a deserted plain.
“How long till Ghastly Gorge?” Joe issued.
“One hundred and thirty five miles.” I assured him.
Our communication skills were something to sneeze at, and even if we did talk, it would usually be a time check, or a how much longer till, sort of conversation. Gideon unfortunately seemed to get more anxious as time passed. He would always answer in a very disgruntled voice and he would snap at Joe and I for no reason. I had just assumed he was cranky because of his terrible sleeping habit, until Joe told me otherwise.
“Yeah this is Gideon without the cider, pretty amazing, huh?” I laughed, so this is the real Gideon? Boy this trip just keeps getting better and better.
“What are you two fillies laughing at?” Gideon questioned angrily. Joe began whistling casually and I looked off into the wide plains. he squinted his eyes curiously and twisted his neck back forward.
A few hours passed and the atmosphere above us seemed brighter, and the pathway became clearer, it was very close to daybreak.
“Well, no trouble on the first night of traveling…I say we’re off to a good start.” Proclaimed Joe.
“Great, can we sit down for a bit?” Gideon groaned. I looked about us for any sign of life, nothing.
I nodded in agreement and fell to my rump. Joe yanked out a snack, and began nibbling off small pieces. Gideon lied down on the grate and prolonged his wings out, while I toggled with my Pip buck. It was a tiring trip; we had journeyed quite far in the spans of a few hours, and the deep gravel was taking a toll on my hooves.
“It feels like it’s been years since I’ve had some cider!” whined Gideon, I rolled my eyes and Joe took a breath in.
“Maybe this is good for you, not having any cider, I’m sure your liver appreciates your sudden soberness.” Joe commented ironically. Gideon placed his elbow over his eyes and groaned. I can’t believe that griffon was thinking about cider, to me that’s the least of our problems, time is wasting, I knew I shouldn’t have brought Gideon.
“Stupid griffon.” I whispered silently. I saw him turn his head and give an extremely irritated look.
“What did you say?” The griffon implied demandingly. He heard my statement, and I began to break into a sweat as I reflected the words Joe told men “He gets quite cranky when he’s sober…” but I attempted a determined look, I never take back my words.
“You heard me stupid griffon!” I shouted.
Joe trotted between us. “Guys, lets not act like colts…we can talk this out-.” Gideon abruptly leapt from his comfortable position and catapulted himself towards me; he seemed to drive us off the trail and sent us spinning down a small cliff, then into a small trench below, so that the trail was long gone.
I began to think on how I was going to get back up until he slammed his fist into my stomach, causing me to loose what little breath I had left, the pain wasn’t unbearable though my adrenaline seemed to soften his strikes. My rifle slipped from its buckle and rocketed off of my back near a shrub about two feet from the combat zone. I flew a few feet before landing in a small puddle of thick sludge.
When I stood to my hooves once again he tackled all of his weight onto my spine, and pushed me back into the muck. His face was full of rage as he plummeted into the mud after me. He swiped his agile claw at my face but missed by a hair and just when he thought he could claw backwards, I hoofed him in the face and then bit his wing. My counterstrike did some damage.
“That’s it!” he shrieked loudly and then gashed my leg. I grunted loudly from the excruciating pain. When he tried to slash my leg once more, I bucked my back hooves into his beak and sent him flying back into the mud. “Yeah!” I roared violently inside my head.
I need a weapon to scare him off, I located the rifle; I tried to scurry while he recovered from the devastating blow. But he shot his talons out of the mud and grabbed my back hoof, dragging me back into his possession. He was above me and he held his fist high in the air, blocking the sun. I covered my face in terror. “Oh boy good thinking Brimstone, now you’re gonna die because you pissed off a griffon.” I reprimanded myself angrily.
He screamed from his bloody beak. “Take this ya little fu-!” a resonance of several gunshots echoed in our ears, and a loud groan shortly followed.
“Joe?!” Gideon screamed. He began climbing up the cliff and my heart started to panic, Joe wasn’t the only pony up there. He inched his way up the crag with the wounds I had just bestowed upon him. There is somepony up there I wanted the element of surprise, but if Gideon showed his face…
“Gideon! Stop!” I shouted. Another shot was fired and Gideon didn’t seem to notice he was the victim until he lost his grip on the edge and grounded right beside me. He sluggishly opened his blood-soaked wing and grunted.
“How many are up there?” I asked Gideon calmly.
“Ughh, I think five…I don’t know I couldn’t get a good look.” Five or hundreds, it didn’t matter; no one gets away with hurting Joe. I ripped a piece of cloth on my duster and bandaged him.
“Alright, I’m going to check it out.” Gideon grabbed my hoof suddenly.
“Brimstone, if we die…I’m sorry about a few minutes ago, I’m just flustered…” This was new, a griffon saying he’s sorry, now I knew he really was sober.
“Its fine.” I assured wholeheartedly. “I just cant believe all of this danger happened within the duration of a few minutes.” I stealthily scaled the cliff and reached the edge.
I rested my rifle on the rim of the dugout near a small shrub, so I was slightly camouflaged. Looking down the sights, I noticed there were only three, and they had bounded Joe in a rope while searching our caravan. They seemed to be trotting towards the precipice; I can’t let them get near Gideon.
I’ve never used my father’s rifle before, and looking down sights is new for me, but how hard could sniping be? I took in a deep breath and held it, relaxing my hoof near the trigger. I aimed the iron sights directly on one of the raiders and shot. The force kicked my shoulder back and hurt my neck causing me to lose aim and shoot directly in the air.
“Hey! There’s another one! We’re gonna’ have a feast!” they yelped like primates. And began charging towards me. I dreaded my hoof slipping on the trigger and now it was an actuality.
I would reload my father’s rifle and shoot again but, unfortunately, its not bolt, or semi automatic, its an antique; One of those rifles you actually have to place powder inside.
I quickly climbed down the ditch to seize my pouch lying by Gideon, I unzipped my sack, and I levitated my blade near my face. It was quiet, but still horrifying.
“Now we got y-.” I turned my body and slammed the blade into his forehead, he collapsed into the muck Gideon and I had just fought in. “One down, two to g-.” a malevolent chuckle resonated behind me.
I felt a cold sharp object rest upon on my neck and somepony’s hoof forcing mine behind my back.
“Its over kid, ya shot and ya lost!” he cackled hysterically, tying a rope around my hooves. I glanced at Gideon; a pony that looked like he had way too much caffeine was tying him down with a leather strap.
The thugs hauled us out of the furrow and pushed us by Joe.
“Joe! Are you okay?” I asked worriedly, he nodded his head slowly.
“Y-yeah, just a little scratch; that’s all…” he whimpered when I glanced from his face to his hoof, it had been completely severed off!
“Glory, Joe! Im surprised you’re still awake!” Gideon commented blissfully.
“Hey, shut up over there!” one of the assailants shouted.
“Gideon now is not the time to make jokes!” I whispered intensely. Joe sat up on his rump and looked at his leg.
“Well gee there sure is a lot of blood in my leg.” He stated calmly.
“Why are you so calm? You do realize that we are going to die here right?! Aren’t you scared?!” I bawled. He just shook his head slowly and grinned.
“There’s no reason to be scared Brimstone.” Gideon leaned in on the conversation and provided a frown.
A light breeze seeped through my mane and sent shivers down my spine. I never thought I would die in such a barren field, I never thought I would die next my favorite bartender, and the most annoying griffon on the planet. My quest seemed pointless; I couldn’t avenge her, or Silver Leaf…I failed.
“Alright! Were getting fed up with your cargo, and the chief will be here any moment so…” he clutched Gideon by his hurt wing and hauled him closer to our scoured caravan supply. I reached my hooves out to grab his tail, but it slipped.
“Joe we have to do something they’re gonna kill-.” I looked closer at his face, he was crying? He grasped a small photo of his family close to his chest, while tears dribbled down his face. He has given up hope… “What a hypocrite. Even the strong are weak in the eyes are of death.” I muttered.
“Wait!” Joe screamed, and it caught the attention of the lethargic thieves.
“I’ll take the griffons place!” they augmented an eyebrow and shrugged, they dropped Gideon with a thump, and trotted gradually towards Joe, when they arrived they wrapped a cloth over his eyes; to strike fear I’m guessing.
“We’re tired of trotting back and forth so…” he pulled the rifles bolt with extreme force. “We’re just gonna kill ya right next to your dirty friend.” The one on the left raised his firearm and pulled the bolt back.
I began to tremble, my hooves started shaking frantically; “Joe couldn’t die.” I informed myself dreading each breath the muggers sighed. I can’t take the pressure…
“Goodnight!” the raider called; I covered my ears with my hooves and stooped below in reaction he slightly pulled on the trigger and fired…I winced from the sudden waves wrenching my eardrums. I slowly opened my eyes to find blood stained on my body and Joe fell to the ground not moving an inch; I began to tear up. Gideon started shrieking and weeping along with me. But I noticed the strangest phenomenon, Joe wasn’t bleeding; was I shot instead? My vision turned blurry and my ears picked up a low frequency.
“Sonar Pulse!” one of the thieves called. I transferred my eyes from Joe to the mugger and saw a hole drilled straight through the middle of his stained skull. I pattered my body looking for any kind of hole or gashing wound. (Besides my leg.) But no holes showed. I wasn’t shot; it was the pony in front of me, dead and lifeless.
The other pony became enraged and lifted the rifle once more to kill me with one mighty swing of the butt. When I closed my eyes once more, I felt another wave of liquid drown my face in red. I battered my eyelashes to get a clear view but the blurriness made it impeccable to even observe.
“Looked like you boys needed some help…” a voice shouted. I turned my head to stare at hill just beyond the trail. I couldn’t see the pony that helped us but I noticed her long scarlet mane flow through the gust and her body an ominous aura from the sun behind her. “An angel.” I whispered under my soft breath.
